Old Rochester softball winds up for spring season
Kennedy Zussy waits to make a play at practice on Tuesday, March 24 in the Old Rochester gym. Photos by Grace Roche
Claudia Surace watches a play unfold. 
Juliana Pinhancos looks to catch a ball. 
Claudia Surace stands during practice. 
Claudia Surace waits to make a play. 
Claudia Surace watches a play. 
Tenley Lane,left, and Kennedy Zussy, right, practice in the gym at Old Rochester. 
Two players throw softballs during practice. 
One softball player waits to make a play. 
Michaela Fiano watches practice. 
One player waits to throw a ball across the gym.
Kennedy Zussy waits to make a play at practice on Tuesday, March 24 in the Old Rochester gym. Photos by Grace Roche
Claudia Surace watches a play unfold.
Juliana Pinhancos looks to catch a ball.
Claudia Surace stands during practice.
Claudia Surace waits to make a play.
Claudia Surace watches a play.
Tenley Lane,left, and Kennedy Zussy, right, practice in the gym at Old Rochester.
Two players throw softballs during practice.
One softball player waits to make a play.
Michaela Fiano watches practice.
One player waits to throw a ball across the gym.
MATTAPOISETT — The Old Rochester Regional High School softball team is off to a fresh start as practices begin, led by a new coach.
Ava Novakoski, who was the assistant coach last year, took over as head coach for this season. She said she is pushing her players to challenge themselves and stay competitive in a league of strong teams.
“It's really fun to step into this head coaching position, and really put my own spin on my own things coming in — taking over the program — one small step at a time,” she said.
She said already she’s been noticing players keep each other accountable and push for excellence as older players mentor younger ones.
Novakoski said the team has shown her how capable they are, and she plans to train them accordingly.
“They're ready to work, they're showing me that they have put in the work along the way,” Novakoski said. “I'm very happy to see how far it takes us this season.”
With a 2-8 record last season, she said she wants to see the team win more games this season while maintaining a fighting spirit and positive attitude.
Alex Fiano, a senior from Fairhaven, and Hannah Mansfield, a junior from Marion, both joined the team when they were in eighth grade. They said even when they have had difficult seasons with few wins, the team has a strong sense of community and keeps having fun.
“We understand that we're not the greatest in the field, but we try to make the most fun of it,” Fiano said.
She described the team as a family, full of inside jokes. Mansfield said even on the bus back from a losing game, their spirits are always high and “a losing record isn't gonna bring our morale down.”
They said they’ve enjoyed Novakoski’s coaching, especially as is a recent college graduate and played softball during her time at Bridgewater State University. They said her age and experience make her a relatable coach, and they appreciate her fun personality.
Eight grader Leia Perez, of Mattapoisett, been playing softball for a few years and was excited to join the team before entering high school.
“Since we don't have that many players in the Tri-Town that are interested in playing softball, they allow the eighth graders to come out,” Perez said. “I thought it would be a good idea to join the team and get to know the girls I'm going to be playing with in my high school career.”
She said the team is full of kind players and she looks forward to improving alongside them.
